Flooring-clamp.



PATENTED MAR. 8, 1903.

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N'UNITED STATES .l

PATENTA OFFICE.

\VILLAM HARVEY EARLYVOF'HAYS, KANSAS.

FLOORING-CLAMP.

SPECIFCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 721,681, dated Marchy 3,1903 Application filed March 4, 1902.

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Be it known that I, WILLIAM HARVEY EARLY, a citizen of the UnitedStates, resid- Fig. 3 v construction and operation of one of the ing atHays, in the county of Ellis and State of Kansas, have invented a newand useful Flooring-Clamp, of which the following is a specification. in

This invention relates to implements employed by mechanics to assist inlaying Hooring, siding, and forsimilar purposes, and has for'its objectthe production of a device of greater simplicity of construction and ofin` creased utility, whereby `its efficiency and scope lare greatlyincreased.

The invention consists in certain novel featuresof the construction,`ashereinafter shown and described, and specifically pointed out in theclaims.

In the drawings illustrative of the invention, Figure 1 is a perspectivevview ofthe device applied to portions of ooring. Fig. 2 is a transversesectionon the lineoc of Fig. 1. is a sectional detail illustrating thegripping-jaws.

In this invention Lis comprised a supporting-frame 5, adapted to beclamped to the joist (represented at' 6) contiguous to the vflooring,which is represented at 7. The frame 5 will preferably be of malleableiron and will conformto the joist and will project down a short distanceon each side, as shown. The

side members of the frame 5 extend horizontally beyond the tbp'mernber,with the upper surface of the extensions flush with the top of thejoist,as shown at 5% At its rearV end the frame 5 is provided with recesses 8,in which clamp-pawls 9 are disposed, the pawls being pivotedin lugs`29on the sides of the frame and adapted to beheld with their inner ends 10normally pressed inward by springs l1, as shown in Fig. 3, The innerends 10 of the pawls are serrated, as shown in Fig. 1, and are adaptedto engage the joist from opposite sides `and effectually prevent anyrearward movement of the device. l Y

Only one of the clamping means is shown in the drawings but it will beunderstood that two of theclamps willpreferably be'em# ployed, but asboth clam ps are precisely alike only one has been illustrated. By thissimple means any rearward strain upon the frame 5 Seria-1 No. 96,662.(No model.)

and effectually prevent any rearward movement, and thus form animmovable abutment against which the resistance of the clamping meanswill be expended. l

Projecting from the side members of the frame near the inner end are twospurs or trnnnions 12 and 13, oppositely disposed and adapted to formthe fu'lcrum-point 15 of a lever 16. The lower end of the leverisadapted to engage either one of the trunnions 12 or l3, so that thelever can be disposed upon either side of the frame, as indicated inFig. 1, wherein the level' is shown engaged with the trunnion l2 in fulllines and in position Avided witha groove 18 in its outer edge,

adapted to engage the tongue 19 of the adjacent section of the flooring7.

The clamp-jaw is formed equal-sided, so as to operate oni'either sideofthe joist, 'as required, and whenvin operation one of thelaterally-extended sides will rest upon one or the other of the upperedge 5a of the frame 5, according to which one of the trunnions 12 or 18the lever 16 may be for. the time being engaged. Thus the jaw rests uponone of the projections 5',`no matter on which side ofy the casing 5 thelever 6 may be mounted, and the` jaw thereby renderedinterchangeablefrom side to side of the joist. This ability to readilyychange the clamp-head from side to side of the joist is a veryimportant advantage and is lone ofthe features of the present invention.It frequently happens that`it :is necessary to bring pressure to bearnear the end of the Hoor-board or vata `buttjoint, and when that occursit is necessary that the jaw be located on the side of the joist nextthe joint, and this cannot be done ifthe device isarranged to operate onone'side of thejoist only. Then, again,it frequently happens that it isnecessary to bring pressure'to bear upon the floor-board near a wall orpartition, and here, again, the ability to reverse the position of thelever and clamp-jaw is very important, as otherwise the jaw could willcause the pawls to firmlyengage the joist y ICO not be actuated nearerto the required point of pressure than the distance to the next j oist,generally sixteen inches.

The 4frame 5 will preferably be provided with a bail 2l to assist intransporting the device.

This makes a very simple, cheap, and convenient implement, one which canbe veryreadily applied and operated and easily adjusted to everylocality where it may be required and which is capable of use insituations and under conditions not attainable by prior devices of thesame class.

The size of the casing 5 and other parts may be valied to suit thecircumstances, and the dimensions of the parts may be altered andmodified in minor details Without departing from the spirit and scope ofmy invention.

By the lateral extension of the clamp-jaw it rests constantly upon theextension 5 and is supported thereby, and the part 5 being flush withthe upper surface of the joist the operative edge of the jaw is at alltimes in proper position to engage the tongue in the floor-board andwill automatically engage the tongue, While at the same time the jawoperating in contact with the uniform surface of the metal part 5 itsconsequent uniformity of action is assured. This is an important featureof the invention and adds materially to the elciency of the device.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In aflooring-clamp, the combination of a frame adapted to engage the joist,oppositely-disposed trunnions projecting therefrom, a lever adapted toremovably engage said trunnions alternately, and a clampingjaw pivotallydisposed upon said lever and adapted to engage the adjacent floor-board,whereby the said lever and jaw are adapted to engage alternate sides ofthe joist, substantially as described.

2. In a flooring-clamp, a frame adapted toengage the joist, and with itssides horizontally extended and ush with the upper surface of the joist,oppositely-projecting trunnions upon said casing, a lever adapted topivotally engage said trunnions alternately, a clamp-jaw pivotallyengaging said lever and having laterally-extended sides adapted toengage said casing extensions, substantially as described.

3. In a flooringclamp,the combination with a frame adapted to engage thejoist and having means to prevent it from sliding rear- Wardly thereon,of a lever carrying a clamp said lever being adapted to beinterchangeably connected with opposte sides of the frame, substantiallyas set forth.

In testimony that-I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto alixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM HARVEY EARLY.

itnessesz LEE MONROE, THos. GARTLAND.

